Tamil Nadu: Cyclonic storm 'Ockhi', Kerala; authorities issue warning

A deep depression over the South-West Bay of Bengal in the Comorin area snowballed into a cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' on 30 November morning, and is expected to cause moderate to heavy rainfall in the southern parts of India in the next 24 hours.

The cyclonic storm occurred 60 km south of Kanyakumari and 120 km south-west of Thiruvananthapuram.

The system is very likely to barrel west-northwestwards towards the Lakshadweep Islands and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours.

In its wake, authorities have warned of rainfall in most parts of the southern peninsula, as heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated place are very likely over south Tamil Nadu, south Kerala, and Lakshadweep Islands.

Director of India Meteorological Department, Balachandran told media that Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Virudhunagar will receive heavy rainfall, while few spells of rain with intermittent gap is expected in Chennai.

Isolated heavy falls are also expected over interior Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

In addition, Gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph and gusting to 85 kmph are very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours, and along and off south Tamilnadu during next 24 hours, a press statement said.

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph and gusting to 75 kmph are very likely along and around Lakshadweep Islands during next 12 hours and will increase thereafter with wind speeds becoming 80-90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph from tonight.

The storm will also disrupt sea conditions, which will be high along and off South Kerala coast during next 48 hours, and along and off south Tamil Nadu coast during next 24 hours, the statement added.

Sea conditions would be very rough to high over and around Lakshadweep Islands during next 12 hours and high to very high during subsequent 48 hours.

Authorities have advised fishermen along and off the Lakshadweep Islands to not venture into the sea during next 48 hours, while along the coasts of South Tamil Nadu and South Kerala, fishermen are advised to not venture into the sea during next 48 hours.